Lots of wear and tear.
Poorly-repaired previous accident damage.
Engine needed full overhaul at about 110,000 miles (on the odometer; more likely at least 200,000 miles more than that on the car from other evidence).
Transmission needed full overhaul at about 120,000 miles (indicated).
Fuel injection troubles have plagued the car since shortly after the engine rebuild.
Amazing cornering and handling with the stock suspension. Even better with the small modifications that I have made.
Simple enough to work on yourself, for the most part.
It feels underpowered, but it can still get out of its own way.
Not the most reliable car in the world, but endless fun when you get to some windy twisty roads!
It gets fair to good fuel mileage.
The removable roof panel lets you enjoy topless driving, but is more secure than a canvas roof.
Makes a great little race car with just a few modifications!
Carries a tremendous amount of stuff for how small it is--two trunks really are better than one!
The two trunk comment cannot be overstated: with just me in the car, I can fit all my camping gear, cycling gear and a Cannondale mountainbike (takes 5 minutes to dis-assemble) - yup, that's right you can fit a bike inside the car- (frame and rear wheel in the rear trunk, front wheel up front). All this and still take the roof off and thrash the car down mountain roads- can't think of another 2 seat, immaculately handling sportscar that can make this claim... My car isn't a daily driver, but I probably cover about 5,000 miles a year in it- every time the sun comes out here in Britain, the roof comes off, and off I go- it never fails to bring a grin to my face. My uncle drives a 380bhp Audi S4, and was visibly stunned by the cars handling when I took him out for a spin, not bad for a 35 year old 80bhp relic :¬)
WOW I am glad that your mentioned the bike!! I have had 2 914's. The first one was yellow and matched my Schwinn Paramount. When the Paramount was stolen, I replaced it with a silver Paramount. Of course I sold the yellow 914 and purchased a silver 914. I still have both the 914 and the Paramount with great memories of packing the Schwinn into the trunk and heading out to meet the bike club, Sunday mornings, in Evanston, IL.
The first comment is soo true... the 2 trunks can fit a lot (not SUV a lot, but more than you would expect) and my 914 can makes sooo many Camaro and other muscle car owners jealous becasue of how it turns. 911 guys say to me and other 914 guys, our cars are faster, but you can take turns faster, we brake, and you floor it, amazing, and 914 guys just go, yeah.
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